A people smuggler who covered a campervan in chilli powder in an attempt to prevent sniffer dogs at a port from finding an Iraqi family hidden in the vehicle's luggage compartment has been jailed.

Patricia Ferreira, 26, was caught bringing the family through Harwich International Port, Essex in the locked rear luggage compartment of a hired camper van.

Court - Family - Country - February - Ferreira

After admitting in court that she tried to smuggle the family into the country in February 2016, Ferreira went on the run but was detained by German police on June 19 this year under a European Arrest Warrant.

The smuggler was extradited on August 7 to the UK for sentencing after skipping her previous hearing in November 17.

Stuart - Cooper - Immigration - Enforcement - Criminal

Stuart Cooper, from the Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigation team, said: 'Ferreira may have thought she could avoid her sentence, but as this case demonstrates we never stop looking.

'My officers are determined investigators and our work with international partners means we have a very long reach when it comes to those who try to evade justice.'

Attempt - Ferreira - UK - Address - Border

Following the smuggling attempt Ferreira of no fixed UK address was detained by Border Force officers alongside French national and co-conspirator Skelly Monpierre.